Bulletproof cage for banks and the like



F. J. PLYM BULLETPRQOF CAGE FOR BANKS AND THE LIKE April 13, 1937.

Filed Aug. 26, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l April 13, 1937. F. J. PLYM IBULLETFROOF CAGE FOR BANKS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Aug. 26,1933 712/, m ge 6.

Patented Apr. l3, i937 .PAsNr BULLETPROOF CAGEflIOlR. BANKS AND THE L EFrancis J. Plym, Niles, Mich, assigncr to The Kawneer Company, Niles,Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application August 26, 1933, Serial No.686,866

Claims.

The present invention relates to bullet-proof cages for banks, and thelike, and more particularly to a novel construction of bullet-proof cageor booth so positioned that a bandit or other person endeavoring tosecure access to the vaults or other compartments where valuables arebeing kept must pass therethrough.

Among the objects of the present invention is to provide a safety devicefor use in banking institutions or other places of business whereverthere are transactions involving money, securities and/or othervaluables.

Another object of the invention is in the provision of a novelbullet-proof cage of a size merely sufficient for the entry of one,person, and

through which any person or persons desiring access to the location orcompartment where the money, securities and/or other valuables are keptmust pass. In the preferred embodiment, the cage is provided with a pairof doors or closures, which may be locked from the interior or exteriorof the cage whereby should a bandit secure access to theinterior of thecage in an endeavor to pass to the rear thereof, he may be trappedtherein by an employee, official or other person who has noted his entryinto the cage. If the outer door is locked the bandit could not enterthe cage. If an employee or official of the banking or other institutionpasses or is forced into the cage, he can use it as a haven by lookingit from the interior, since the cage is bullet-proof.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a cage with a pairof doors or closures so arranged and connected as to prevent the openingof one door or closure without a closing of the other. This arrangementprevents more than one person passing through the cage at one and thesame time, since such person must first enter the cage, close the doorafter him and then open the other door. j v

Another object of the present invention is to provide a cage or boothwhich maybe formed as a portable unit for use in paying 01f employees,and readily transported from place to place. In the disclosedembodiment, the cage or booth may consist of two compartments, onehaving the novel closure arrangement and of a size permitting the entryof but one person, and the other in which that person may transact hisbusiness or pay off the employees. This type of structure isadmirablyadapted for use by paymasters Without danger, of theirbeingrobbed, since the entire unit is bullet-proof and they are beyondpersonal danger when once inside the cage or booth. This constructionwould eliminate the necessity. of

guards during the period that the paymaster or other person isin thecage. It would further permit an agency similar to those now employed totransport and collect money, securities and/or other valuables byarmoredcars, to act as paymasters and pay ofi employees from such a cage orcompartment, which could be readily moved from place to place. i

A still further object of the invention is in the novel electricalcircuit or circuits, which are so related that the opening of one doorbreaks the circuit and prevents the opening of the second door without aclosing ofthe first mentioned door. The opening of the first door breaksthe circuit and this circuit cannot be re-established until that door isclosed.

Another and furtherobject of the invention is in the provision of anelectrical circuit or circuits adapted to energize a solenoid forretracting a latch bolt and thereby unlocking the door. In the presentembodiment such a solenoid is provided for each latch bolt, and anopening of one door breaks the circuit to the other solenoid, andthereby prevents its retraction as long as the other door is open.

The invention further resides in the combination, construction andarrangements of parts and details illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and while there is shown therein a preferred embodiment, it isto be understood that the same is susceptible ofmodification and change,and comprehends other details, arrangements and constructions withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

Further objects are to provide a construction of maximum simplicity,eificiency, economy and ease of assembly and operation, and such furtherobjects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear andas are inherently possessed thereby. p

In the drawings:- 7

Fig. 1 isa view in' perspective of the novel cage positioned in 'thepartition in a bank or other financial institution.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary View in horizontal crosssection through thecage.

Fig. 3 is a'perspective view of an alternate form of cage or booth.

Fig. 4 is a view in horizontal cross-section of the constructiondisclosed in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a. diagrammatic view of the electrical circuits controllingthe door latch mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view in vertical crosssection through the dooroperating mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the disclosure in the drawings, theembodiment selected to illustrate the invention in Figs. 1 and 2 of thedrawings, comprises a cage located in the partition A, separating thefront and rear of a bank or other financial institution wheretransactions are carried on involving money, securities and/or othervaluables. The cage as well as the partition is bullet-proof, and thecage may form the only means of access to the vaults, tellers cages orother compartments where such money, securities and/or other valuablesare kept.

The cage comprises side walls I and 2 and closures or doors 3 and 4. Theside walls and doors or closures form a compartment 5, of a size merelysufiicient for the entry and reception of but one person. Each door ishinged at 6 and at its opposide edge or side is provided with a knob orhandle I, which when rotated or moved in order to open the .doorenergizes an electrical circuit to a solenoid 8, which when energizedretracts the latch bolt 9. Upon an opening of one of the closures ordoors from either side thereof the circuit to the opposite door isbroken and cannot again be energized or reestablished mitil the firstmentioned door is closed. Thus a person opening one of the doors andentering the cage is precluded from opening the other door until thefirst mentioned door is closed. This is accomplished by means ofcontacts in the side rail I0 of the door or closure and in the adjacentjamb II.

The contacts in the side rail of the door and jamb are clearly disclosedin Fig. 5 of the drawings, in which there is set forth a wiring diagramof the circuit or circuits to the doors 3 and 4. As disclosed in thisfigure, the contact plates I2 and |2a are in the side rails of the doorsor closures, while the contact plates I3 and I3a are in the jamb.Current flowing from an outside source passes through the wires I4 andI5. From the wire I4 the current passes through the wires I6 and i611 inopposite directions to the solenoids 3 and 8a, and from there to thewires I9 and |9a to the upper contact button in the plates I3 and I3a.When the doors are closed, the current in each passes from the uppercontact in the plates- I3 and |3a to the upper contact in the plates l2and I2a, and from there through the wires 20 and 20a to the switches 2|and 2Ia of the handles or latch constructions I.

Assuming that the switch 2| has been thrown from the exterior orinterior of the door 3 by means of a turning of the handle I, currentpasses from the wire 20 in this door to the wire 22 and second contactin the plate I2 to the second contact in the plate I3, and from therethrough wire 23 to the third contact in the plate |3a in the door orclosure 4, and from there to the third contact in the plate |2a of thislatter door. From this third contact in the plate |2a the current passesthrough the wire 24 to the switch 2| a of this door, and through thisswitch to the wire 25 and to the fourth contact in plates |2a and I3a,and from the latter through the wire 26 and switch 21a to the line I5,thus closing the circuit and energizing the solenoid 8 in the door 3.The energizing of this solenoid retracts the latch bolt 9 and permits anopening of the door.

When the handle I on the door 4 is operated from the exterior orinterior whereby to throw its switch 2|a, current passes from the wireI4, through the wire Ilia, solenoid 8a, wire I9a, thence through theupper contacts in the plates |3a and I2a, and wire 20a, to the switch2|a. From the switch 2|a the current passes through the wire 28 and thesecond contacts on the plates |2a and I3a, through the wire 29 to thelast contacts on the plates I3 and I2 on the door 3, and from therethrough the wire 30, switch 2|, wire 3|, through the third set ofcontacts on these plates I2 and I3 to the wire 32 and switch 21 to theline I5.

Upon the opening of the door 3 the contact plates l2 and I3 in this doorare separated and current cannot flow to the door 4 whereby to energizethe solenoid and thereby retract the latch bolt in this latter door. Asimilar operation takes place if the handle I of the door 4 is operatedor turned to open this door when the door 3 is closed.

In Fig. 6 is disclosed a vertical section of the latching mechanism orswitch 2| of the door 3. As disclosed in this figure, the wire 20 isconnected to a contact 33, while the wire 22 is connected to the wires20 and 22. This closing of the circuit through the contacts 33 and 34 isaccomplished by means of a pivoted member 35 forming a part of thehandle I. The wire 30 is likewise connected to a contact 36, while thewire 3| is connected to a movable spring contact 31. handle is shown inthe normal locked position of the door, and in which position currentcan pass through the wires 30 and 3|, but not through the wires 20 and22.

In order that either of the latch bolts 9 may be retracted, it isnecessary to energize its respective solenoid. This energizing cannot beaccomplished except when both doors are closed and current flows throughthe wires 20 and 22 of the door 3 or wires 20a, and 28 of the door 4.Thus in order to energize the solenoid 8 of the door 3, the handle Ithereof must be operated to break the contacts 36 and 31 and make thecontacts 33 and 34. If door 4 is to be opened from the interior orexterior, its solenoid 8a must be. energized by operation or turning ofthe handle on this door.

Although I have gone into considerable detail in explaining the wiringdiagram it is to be understood that numerous changes may be made thereinto accomplish the same function and purpose, and that I have disclosedbut one operative embodiment for accomplishing this result.

In Figs. 3 and 4 is disclosed an alternate construction of booth or cage39, provided with closures 3a and 411 leading into a compartment 49.This construction is admirably adapted for the use of paymasters, andthe like, although it is adapted for numerous other uses. as will bereadily apparent. In this compartment 49 there is provided a window 4|,beneath wlr ch is positioned a tiltable receptacle 42 for the transferof money. securities and/or other valuables from one side of thepartition to'the other. This receptacle may be similar in constructionand operation to that disclosed in my Patent No. 1,890,587, of December13, 1932. A gun port is also provided adjacent the window 4|. The entireconstruction is made bullet-proof so that there is no danger to theoccupant while in either compartment of the cage. The arrangement andoperation of the doors or closures 3a and 4a is similar to that of theconstruction disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, and the wiring diagram issimilar thereto, so that it is necessary that both doors be closedbefore either may be opened from the interior or exterior, and after Inthis View the such door has been opened it must again be closed topermit an opening of the other. The compartment 44 connecting thesedoors is of a size sufiicient to permit but one person to enter andremain therein while thedoors are closed.

From the above description and disclosure in the drawings it will bereadily apparent that the invention comprehends a novel safetyarrangement in the form of a bullet-proof cage or booth, preventing theentry of more than one person at a time. It will prevent a bandit fromforcing an officer or employee of a bank or other financial institutionto pass ahead of him through the cage and compel such ofiicial oremployee to permit the bandit to pass therethrough. If the bandit entersthe cage or compartment, the electrical circuit may be broken by one ofthe switches 21 or 27a; provided for such purpose, and which may beconcealed so that no one but the oflicials or employees of the bank knowthereof. One may be exterior of the cage while the other may be in theinterior. After the current has been cut off or the-circuit openedneither door may be opened, and the bandit would be trapped therein. Ifthe ofiicial or employee enters or is made to pass therein he likewisecan open the circuit by a switch concealed in the cage, and since theconstruction is bullet-proof he cannot be molested. If there are anumber of bandits, the oiiicial or employee may permit some or all ofthem to pass therethrough, and when once behind the partition he mayopen the circuit and prevent their escaping. Usually, however, theofiicial or employee is made to open the safe or vault, and regardlessof whether the ofiicial or employee passes therethrough first, last ortherebetween, he must pass through the cage, and when once therein he isprotected.

Having thus disclosed the invention, I claim:-

1. A safety device for protecting a teller, paymaster or other personhandling money and/or other valuables in his work, comprising a memberdivided into two compartments, the one being of a size sufiicient topermit but one person to enter and the other of a size to permit saidteller, paymaster or other person to carry on his work, said firstmentioned compartment having a door for securing access thereto and adoor connecting said compartments, said doors being so constructed andconnected that a person opening the first mentioned door cannot open thesecond door as long as the first door remains open, and electricallyoperated means for unlatching and permitting an opening of either ofsaid doors, but upon an opening of one preventing an unlatching of theother.

2. A safety device for protecting a teller, paymaster or other personhandling money and/or other valuables in his work, comprising a portablemember which may be easily transported to the place where payment is tobe made, said member being divided into two compartments, the one beingof a size sufficient to permit but one person to enter and the other ofa size to permit said teller, paymaster or other person to carry on hiswork, said first mentioned-compartment having a door for securing accessthereto'and a door connecting said compartments, said doors being soconstructed and connected that a person opening the first mentioned doorcannot open the second door as long as the first door remains open, andelectrically operated means for unlatching and permitting an opening ofeither of said doors, but upon an opening of one preventing anunlatching of the other.

3. A safety device for protecting a teller, paymaster or other personhandling money and/or other valuables in his work, comprising a portablemember which may be used as an armoured car or the like divided into twocompartments, the one being of a size sufiicient to permit but oneperson to enter and the other of a size to permit said teller, paymasteror other person to carry on his work, said first mentioned compartmenthaving a door for securing access thereto and a door connecting saidcompartments, said doors being so constructed and connected that aperson opening the first mentioned door cannot open the second door aslong as the first door remains open, electrically operated means forunlatching and permitting an opening of either of said doors, but uponan opening of one preventing an unlatching of the other, and means insaid second compartment for locking both doors.

4. A bullet-proof compartment providing the means for entry between thefront part of a bank or other institution dealing in money, securitiesand/or other valuables, and the back part there of where such money,securities and/or other valuables are kept, closures in said compartmentpermitting entry into said compartment and therethrough, a handle foreach of said closures, and electrically operated means adapted tounlatch and permit an opening of one of said closures when its handle ismoved to open position, but upon such unlatching and opening of saidclosure, prevents an unlatching of the other closure, said compartmentbeing of such size that only one person may occupy the same so that itwill be impossible for a bandit to force a bank employee or the likeinto said compartment with him.

5. A bullet-proof compartment providing the means of entry between thefront part of a bank or other institution dealing in money, securitiesand/or other valuables, and the back part thereof where such money,securities and/or other valuables are kept, closures in said compartmentpermitting entry into said compartment and therethrough, an electricalcircuit connecting said closures in series whereby an opening of one ofsaid closures breaks the circuit to the other and prevents its beingopened as long as the first mentioned closure remains open, and meansfor opening the circuit to prevent a burglar or other person fromentering the compartment or for trapping such person after he hasentered the same, said compartment being of such size that only oneperson may occupy the same so that it will be impossible for a bandit toforce a bank employee or the like into said compartment with him.

FRANCIS J. PLYM.

